News Article

Moray leapfrogged Garioch into second place of the BT Caledonia League Division 2 North after a good 22 points to 3 win at Morriston last Saturday.

The Inverurie side started the brighter and applied a lot of early pressure in the home half, however, the defence was well organised, tackling was sound and nothing was given away.

In the 10th minute, Moray hooker Chris Robottom turned over ball, 5 metres from his own line, and immediately broke blind. With no-one at home, he set off for the line only to be halted 15 metres out. The incoming attack went over the top of the ball at the ruck, gave away the penalty and the chance was gone.

This stung the Elgin side into action and seven minutes later, they took the lead. Following some good continuity play, they advanced into the opposition 22 and were awarded a penalty when Garioch infringed. Winger Connor McWilliam stepped up and landed the kick for a 3-0 lead.

For the following 20 minutes or so, the game ebbed and flowed with both sides getting into good attacking positions in the opposing half but defences dominated and no points were added.

In the final minute of the half, the Inverurie side were awarded a penalty after a knock-on, 18 metres out, was adjudged by the referee to be deliberate. The visiting stand-off slotted the kick to tie the score at 3-3 at the break.

Although the Garioch side started the second half on the offensive, it was the home team who created the first good chance. A penalty took them to an attacking line, 25 metres out and after a number of drives at the line, a further couple of penalties and being held up over the line, the visitors managed to get a boot to the ball at a ruck and clear the danger.

In the 58th minute, the Elgin side took the lead. Clean ball was picked up at the base of a scrum on half-way by No 8 Neil Wiseman and in contact he offloaded to Marc Higgins. The wing-forward made good ground before setting up the ruck. Ball was then moved quickly through hands and stand-off Leon Keirl put replacement wing Kieran Herrington into space and he rounded the defence to score out wide. McWilliam could not add the conversion points leaving the score at 8-3.

From the restart, good continuity play by both forwards and backs, took the home side back into the attacking 22. The ball was moved quickly to the backs and outside-centre Harvey Freeman went for the line only to be stopped a couple of metres short. Inside-centre Frankie Du Toit was on hand, picked up and crashed through the covering defence to score. Herrington stepped up and landed the conversion kick for a 15-3 lead.

Moray were in control now and in the 65th minute added to their lead. A penalty took them to an attacking line on the visitorís 22. Ball was taken off the top and quickly moved wide. Keirl delayed the pass long enough to put Freeman into and through the gap to score under the posts. McWilliam added the extras to take the lead to 22-3.

The Inverurie side tried hard to respond but the home defence was tight and in fact it was Moray who finished the game the stronger trying their hardest to get the bonus point try. Opportunities were created but the Garioch defence was determined, kept them at bay and the final whistle went with the score at Moray 22 Garioch 3.

The first half had been a well contested and tight affair but after the break, the Elgin side grabbed the initiative and dominated, scoring three well worked tries for a good hard working and well deserved victory.

The win meant that Moray leapfrogged Garioch into second place, three points behind leaders Banff who they play this Saturday away in Banff.

This will be the biggest league game of the season with victory a must in their quest to win the league and gain promotion.